“In England, throughout a lesson on the slave commerce, a trainer stated: ‘Khadisha’s surname is Thomas as a result of her ancestors had been slaves.’ I used to be the one Black lady, and the entire class stuffed with white youngsters stared at me like I used to be some alien,” she explains. “In Trinidad, historical past classes had been the other. I did not really feel outcast. I felt enlightened to a wealthy historical past I’d have by no means been taught in England. I felt like I lastly understood the place I got here from, and I felt extra assured in who I used to be.
“Dwelling in Trinidad made me really feel empowered as a Black British Caribbean girl, it made me extra appreciative of the sacrifices my household made and the experiences of immigrants within the UK. It made me really feel full.”
Khadisha returned to the UK to check journalism, she additionally believes she has a greater likelihood of getting a job right here than in Trinidad. Nevertheless, she would take into account shifting again completely at a unique stage in her life. It’s a consideration weighing on the minds of many Black Brits.
In keeping with latest polling by Black British Voices, greater than a 3rd of Black Britons don’t see Britain as their everlasting dwelling and need to reside elsewhere sooner or later, with many trying to construct a brand new life ‘again dwelling’ within the Caribbean or Africa. Many survey respondents cited racism and hostility within the UK as a cause for wanting to depart.
“It’s turning into overwhelmingly clear that Black Brits should not revered within the UK,” says Khadisha. “We’re steadily abused and villainised. We need to go to international locations the place we aren’t being handled this manner. We need to reside in international locations the place we are going to profit.”
Transferring completely to her household’s heritage nation of Jamaica is one thing Donna Noble has considered as nicely. Born and raised in London, Donna desires about escaping the UK for the winter months sooner or later sooner or later. The yoga teacher has visited Jamaica on three events, together with a two-year stint when she was simply 9 years previous. The expertise left a long-lasting impression.
“I travelled to Jamaica by ship,” Donna remembers. “Once we docked, it was raining. The porters wouldn’t work through the rain, in order that they didn’t take away our baggage – this was so alien to me as it will by no means have occurred in England. I bear in mind having no TV. My Grandfather and I’d dance round the lounge as we listened to the night play on the radio.
“What I bear in mind most was the liberty to play within the steady sunshine, and strolling exterior barefoot. It was like an important journey exploring a brand new nation and way of life. I used to be advised that I quickly misplaced my British accent and was talking like a Jamaican. I bear in mind feeling a deep sense of belonging and becoming in with the opposite kids simply.”
Throughout her visits to Jamaica, Donna learnt concerning the nation’s wealthy historical past and gained a deeper cultural connection, she says this helped her additional perceive her household’s roots, and in the end, herself.
“Jamaicans are happy with their heritage, and that is one thing that has been instilled in me,” says Donna. “I consider the time spent in Jamaica throughout these youth has performed a component in my private progress and self-discovery.”
Natalie is the creator of Blended/Different and a digital, print and broadcast journalist – specialising in way of life, race, inequality, relationships and psychological well being. She’s been printed within the Guardian, Unbiased, Telegraph, Stylist, gal-dem, and Cosmopolitan. Beforehand, she was the deputy way of life editor at Metro and a broadcast journalist at ITV Information.
